Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator O'Brien and Senator White for the recommendation. Although I am sure people are aware of the current rates and structures of the alcohol licensing regime, the Minister for Finance is eager that we briefly outline the current licensing system and the steps the Government proposes to take to tackle the misuse of alcohol, and that this be put on the record of the Seanad.

The rate of duty on off-licences is currently set at €500 per licence for a beer, wine or spirits off-licence. A typical off-licence premises offering the full range of alcoholic beverages for sale pays €1,500 per annum. Pubs have a graduated licence duty fee structure, based on turnover, ranging from €250 to €3,805, organised into 6 bands. Over 75% of pubs fall within the two lowest bands and pay excise duty of €505 or less.

On foot of the steering group report on a national substance misuse strategy, the Government announced in October 2013 that it would introduce a public health (alcohol) Bill to tackle alcohol misuse. The Government has approved an extensive package of measures to deal with alcohol misuse to be incorporated into the Bill, including provision for minimum unit pricing, which I believe is the most appropriate measure to tackle the problem of the availability of low-priced alcohol.

Although I welcome the Senator's recommendation, as does the Minister for Finance, we believe it is unduly restrictive in terms of the remit of the report it proposes. It would confine the scope of the proposed report to examining the possibility of retailers' off-licence duty being graduated on the basis of retail space only. However, the Minister for Finance does believe there is merit in conducting a broader examination of the alcohol licensing regime, taking account of both the off-trade and the on-trade. To that end, he has asked his officials to bring forward options for his consideration in the context of next year's budget and finance Bill.

I will incorporate the spirit of what Senator O'Brien wishes to achieve in that.